I am looking at a consumer unit in a school which is approx 10 years old and has been discontinued and after enquiring cannot get any parts for this. This is a 12way - 11 are being used with 1 spare. Connected to this are different areas of the school - 2 x 32amp breakers each have 4 classrooms connected. A new classroom needs to be expanded with 4 ring mains. What is the best course of action to complete this work?
Consumer Units in Schools
- Thread starter martinchiversbtinternet
- Start date
College question?
Change consumer unit for a larger one is the obviously the best option.
Change consumer unit for a larger one is the obviously the best option.
When you say 4 classrooms run from a 32amp mcb I'm guessing theres only 1 or 2 sockets per room which would sound OK to me.
If the board is totally obsolete and you cant obtain any parts for it then you have a few options, replace it with a new bigger board with enough capacity to supply the new circuits that are required. If its still serviceable and you don't want to replace it or if cost is an issue then fit a new board next to it, take the incoming supply to the new board then feed a sub-main from the new board to the old board, then feed your new circuits from the new board.
If you can post some more details about the old board or even better post some pictures some of the guys on here may be able to assist you in where to get parts for it from. If the board is ten years old then id expect it to still be perfectly safe to leave in service, except it may lack any RCD protection to the socket circuits.
I'm led to believe that RCD protection on socket circuits is now a requirement in schools and colleges, at least it is according to the contractors who wire out our buildings at the college where i work. There's RCBO's everywhere, JohnD would be proud
All the best
Dan
If the board is totally obsolete and you cant obtain any parts for it then you have a few options, replace it with a new bigger board with enough capacity to supply the new circuits that are required. If its still serviceable and you don't want to replace it or if cost is an issue then fit a new board next to it, take the incoming supply to the new board then feed a sub-main from the new board to the old board, then feed your new circuits from the new board.
If you can post some more details about the old board or even better post some pictures some of the guys on here may be able to assist you in where to get parts for it from. If the board is ten years old then id expect it to still be perfectly safe to leave in service, except it may lack any RCD protection to the socket circuits.
I'm led to believe that RCD protection on socket circuits is now a requirement in schools and colleges, at least it is according to the contractors who wire out our buildings at the college where i work. There's RCBO's everywhere, JohnD would be proud
All the best
Dan
Thanks for the replies, if there are more than 1 or 2 sockets in the classrooms (I was not able to check as small children in there) if I put a new consumer unit in would the classrooms have to have separate ring mains?
For the 17th, ALL socket outlets rated at 20 amp and below (so the 13amps on the 32amp ring) MUST be protected by a 30mA RCD, regardless of if they may 'reasonably be expected to be used outdoors'.
Ring Final Circuit, not 'Ring Main'.
Why would they? Rings can supply an unlimited amount of sockets, but you obviously take account of anticipated loading when designing the circuit. They must not cover a floor area exceeding 100m/sq each.
Are you competant to be carrying out this work? 
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